PAGCOR asked to release records of Dy’s gambling activities

Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, head of the police Anti-Drug Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF), has asked Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to release the tape and records of the gambling activities of transnational drug syndicate leader Jackson Dy.

Aglipay said they wanted the records of Dy’s gambling activities to prove that his millions came from the illegal drug business contrary to his claims that he earned them by brokering real estate transactions.

"We are tracing the source of the millions he used in buying assets and properties which we intend to confiscate in favor of the government," Aglipay told The STAR.

Dy, whose real name is Li Lan Yan, 41, admitted to The STAR that he’s a heavy gambler. He preferred to spend his time at the blackjack table, he said.

The drug syndicate leader said there was a time in the past when he won P200 million in 45 days of continuous gambling. He said he used the money to buy luxurious houses and condominium units as well as luxury vehicles.

But Superintendent Nelson Yabut, one of the team leaders of AID-SOTF, said reports showed that Dy was losing heavily in the casinos during the past few months.

"He’s losing P15 million in one sitting," said Yabut. "He’s throwing millions left and right because his illegal drug business is flourishing."

The AID-SOTF is presently gathering solid evidence to determine the assets and properties of Dy including a condo unit and townhouses in Pasay City, a house at the Marina Bayhomes in Parañaque City and a Jaguar luxury car, which is worth at least P5 million.

A team headed by Superintendent Federico Laciste Jr., AID-SOTF project officer, recovered billions of pesos worth of ephedrine and shabu in the two areas in separate raids last month.

Dy claimed he went to school for four years in China before he decided to move into the country more than 20 years ago.

He entered as a tourist and stayed with his aunt in the first few years.

When pressed by The Star how he learned to gamble at the casino, Dy just broke into a smile. But he admitted being addicted to gambling, especially when he started winning millions of pesos.

He said he usually brings only a small amount of cash to the casinos as capital and would leave after an hour win or lose. – Non Alquitran